Ducati Darmah900

Ducati released their first V twin in 1971, the 750GT. In 1972 Paul Smart won the Imola 200 race on a production machine and the factory were inspired to build race replicas with desmodromic valve gear called the 750SS. 1975 saw the engine grow to 864cc and the birth of the 900SS with its 79bhp output and 132mph top speed. This was the machine that Mike Hailwood made his racing comeback aboard at the Isle of Man TT in 1978. His Sports Motorcycles machine averaged 108.51mph, enough to beat the formidable 1000cc four cylinder Honda Britain racing machines that were dominant at that time.

The Darmah was originally marketed as a sports tourer with much the same performance as the 900SS but a less radical riding position. The example displayed, however, has been modified slightly to 900SS spec including the massive Dell ‘Orto carburettors and lowered sports fairing.